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Tag: service chiefs

  • Chibok girls: Service Chiefs absent at Senate meeting

    The National Security Adviser (NSA) and other Service Chiefs invited to brief the Senate on their efforts to rescue the abducted Chibok girls failed to honour the invitation on Wednesday.

    Only the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase and the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mr. Lawal Daura, attended the briefing.

    No explanation was given for the absence of the Service Chiefs at the end of the session.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, presided over the session.

    The DG, DSS and the IGP were said to have briefed the lawmakers on efforts being made to rescue the abducted Chibok girls who had been in captivity for over two years.

    After the closed session, Ekweremadu announced: “The Senate was briefed by the Director-General, State Security Service and the Inspector General of Police on the abduction of the Chibok school girls and efforts to rescue them in the last two years.

    “We urged them to continue and should leave no stone unturned to achieve the rescue of the Chibok girls.

    “Thereafter they answered questions bothering on topical national security issues from very distinguished senators.”

    The Senate had last Thursday invited the Service Chiefs to brief it on efforts at rescuing the Chibok girls.

    This followed a motion by Senator Dino Melaye on the issue.

  • Insecurity: Senate meets with service chiefs

    Insecurity: Senate meets with service chiefs

    The Senate on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with Service Chiefs in view of the prevailing security issues in the country, especially in the North East.

    The two-hour meeting, chaired by the President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, was attended by other principal officers of the Senate and chairmen of security related committees.

    Although newsmen were shut out of the meeting, the Leader of the Senate Ali Ndume later told newsmen that the issues discussed could not be revealed to the public.

    He said that they bordered on national security and as such was for the sole consumption of those who were in attendance.

    Ndume, however, expressed the satisfaction of the Senate as this was the first time the upper legislative chamber was being fully briefed on matters of security.

    “We have been briefed properly but these are security issues we cannot really disclose any of it.

    “Unlike before, the Senate was not abreast or updated on the efforts they are making; now we have very full, honest, open and transparent discussion on the activities.

    “This is a security meeting that we just had; it will be wrong for me to disclose the details.

    “We are satisfied because we have never had this kind of briefing before; we are part of it now; we know what is the problem; we know what are the challenges,” he said.

    The service chiefs present were Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin; Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas and Chief of Air Staff, AVM Sadique Abubakar.

  • Senators, Service chiefs meet on relocation of IDPs

    Senators, Service chiefs meet on relocation of IDPs

    The Caucus of Northeast Senators yesterday met with the Service chiefs to address the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their local government areas.

    Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, who addressed the Service chiefs before the parley moved into a closed session, said the meeting was necessary following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that steps should be taken to relocate IDPs to their local government areas.

    Ndume, who represents Borno South, said the plan to relocate the IDPs was informed by the relative peace in Borno and Adamawa states.

    He said the IDPs involved were those from Borno and Adamawa states camped in Maiduguri and other places.

    The senator noted that because of the relative peace in some local governments, some IDPs have been returning back to their homes.

    Ndume said there was need to open the highways to improve commercial activities.

    He noted that because of the closure of some highways, commercial activities were limited because people could not move easily.

    He said the Service chiefs were invited to brief the lawmakers, who inform their constituents in the Northeast.

    Ndume said the meeting was important especially now that the National Assembly was debating the 2016 budget.

    Another caucus member, Abubakar Kyari, hailed the Service chiefs “for the wonderful work you are doing to bring peace to the Northeast.

    He said: “ I have seen the great work you are doing to bring peace to the Northeast. I have received intelligent reports from some of my constituents. I want to commend you for the good work you are doing.”

    The Service chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who were represented at the meeting, did not speak to reporters.

    The Caucus of Northeast Senators yesterday met with the Service chiefs to address the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their local government areas.

    Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, who addressed the Service chiefs before the parley moved into a closed session, said the meeting was necessary following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that steps should be taken to relocate IDPs to their local government areas.

    Ndume, who represents Borno South, said the plan to relocate the IDPs was informed by the relative peace in Borno and Adamawa states.

    He said the IDPs involved were those from Borno and Adamawa states camped in Maiduguri and other places.

    The senator noted that because of the relative peace in some local governments, some IDPs have been returning back to their homes.

    Ndume said there was need to open the highways to improve commercial activities.

    He noted that because of the closure of some highways, commercial activities were limited because people could not move easily.

    He said the Service chiefs were invited to brief the lawmakers, who inform their constituents in the Northeast.

    Ndume said the meeting was important especially now that the National Assembly was debating the 2016 budget.

    Another caucus member, Abubakar Kyari, hailed the Service chiefs “for the wonderful work you are doing to bring peace to the Northeast.

    He said: “ I have seen the great work you are doing to bring peace to the Northeast. I have received intelligent reports from some of my constituents. I want to commend you for the good work you are doing.”

    The Service chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who were represented at the meeting, did not speak to reporters.

     

  • Senators, Service Chiefs meet over relocation of IDPs

    Senators, Service Chiefs meet over relocation of IDPs

    The Caucus of North East Senators Tuesday met with the Service Chiefs to address the issue of relocating Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their local government areas.

    Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume who addressed the Service Chiefs before the parley moved into closed session, said the meeting became necessary following the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that steps should be taken to relocate IDPs back to their local government areas.

    Ndume who is representing Borno South Senatorial District said that the plan to relocate the IDPs was informed by the relative peace prevailing in Borno and Adamawa States.

    He said that the IDPs specifically involved were those from Borno and Adamawa States who were camped in Maiduguri and some other places.

    He noted that because of the relative peace in some local governments, some IDPs have already began to go back to their local government areas.

    Ndume said that the need to open the highways to improve commercial activities has also become imperative.

    He noted that because of the closure of some highways, commercial activities are limited because people cannot move easily.

    He said that the Service Chiefs were invited so that they could brief the lawmakers who would in turn brief their constituents back home in the North East.

    Ndume said that the meeting was particularly important especially now that the National Assembly was debating the 2016 budget.

    Another member of the Caucus, Abubakar Kyari, commended the Service Chiefs “for the wonderful work you are doing to bring peace to the North East.

    He said, “I have seen the great work you are doing to bring peace to the North East. I have received intelligent report from some of my constituents. I want to commend you for the good work you are doing.”

    The Service Chiefs including the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase who were represented at the meeting did not say anything before reporters were asked to excuse the meeting.

     

  • Buhari, Service Chiefs meet on Boko Haram

    Buhari, Service Chiefs meet on Boko Haram

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with service chiefs in order to overcome weather and logistic challenges hampering the ongoing campaign against Boko Haram.

    The government has declared its intentions to crush the sect before the year runs out.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Aliyu Ismaila, spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The CDS said they briefed the President on the security situation on ground after a 60-day review.

    He said: “It is a normal consultation to intimate him of the issues on ground. We briefed him on the security situation on ground after a 60-day review and we had to brief him on the challenges we have and ensure that the mandate we have is properly delivered.

    “Of course, the challenges we are looking at include weather as it were and some other logistics that we feel we should have.

    On the President’s response, he said: “He is very excited, very happy. As for our request, he gave the mandate.

    Asked on any consideration for extension of the deadline, the CDS said: “We have not said that. The mandate is that we should clear Boko Haram from the occupied territories and ensure that we reclaim all the lost grounds. That is exactly what we are doing.”

     

     

  • 19 Defence, Service chiefs to face arms deals panel

    19 Defence, Service chiefs to face arms deals panel

    Four ex-NSAs, 8 ex-ministers also
    to be questioned

    Five Israelis
    to be invited

    The arms purchase probe panel will examine contracts executed during the administrations of no fewer than 19 former military chiefs. They are five Chiefs of Defence Staff, 14 Service Chiefs; four National Security Advisers (NSAs) and eight former Ministers of Defence.

    The probe has created panic among retired military chiefs who coordinated arms purchases in the last eight years, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    Some of the officers, according to sources, have started making moves to have access to “vital records”.

    It was also learnt that five Israelis, who played major roles in arms procurement for the military in the last six years, are to be invited by the committee, whose members were named on Monday after President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

    The Israelis reportedly left the country on the eve of the general elections, following signs that Buhari might win the poll.

    The government has directed that tight security be provided for members of the panel.

    The assignment is comprehensive; it will run through many administrations.

    A source, who pleaded not to be named because of what he described as “the sensitivity of the matter”, said: “The probe will require looking into the administrations of five Chiefs of Defence Staff, 14 Service Chiefs; four National Security Advisers and eight former ministers. It is a Herculean task.

    “Already, there is panic in the circle of retired military officers on the intent of the  evaluation of arms purchase. Some of these former military chiefs have reached out to panel members to allow them have access to relevant documents.”

    A military source gave insight into why it is necessary to invite the former CDS, Service Chiefs, NSAs and ex-ministers.

    The source said: “All arms deals were not subjected to the nation’s procurement laws even though the late President Umaru Yar’Adua specifically said there should be no due process waiver for the military.

    “Most of the military chiefs cited security reasons for not subjecting those purchases to the nation’s laws. So, some of these military officers either depended on the Ministry of Defence or used internal mechanisms to buy arms.

    “In some instances, there were directives from the Presidential Villa as in the case of the $466.5m contract awarded to a financier of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014 by the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan  to weaponise six Puma helicopters. The immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, raised some issues but he was overruled.”

    Responding to a question, a military source said: “Some former ministers of defence interfered with arms purchase but a few others were sidelined. The immediate past Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, complained at a point to Jonathan that he was not fully in the picture of things.”

    It was also learnt that the scope of the assignment might involve international collaboration following the need to question five Israelis.

    Another source added: “These Israelis were central to the facilitation of the purchase of the arms for the military in any part of the world. But they left Nigeria before the general election when the signs were clear that President Buhari was likely to win the poll.

    “They came for legitimate arms business but they got entrenched in the Nigerian system. They are all well-known in the nation’s security network. The panel may invite them for interaction.

    “Besides the Israelis, some South Africans and Russians will be contacted. We know their embassies will cooperate with the panel.”

    As at press time, the panel might look into the list of the administrations of five Chiefs of Defence Staff, 14 Service Chiefs; four National Security Advisers and eight former Ministers of Defence.

    The  Chiefs of Defence Staff from 2007 to 2015 are: the late Lt.-Gen. Owoye Andrew Azazi (2007-2008); Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike(2008-2010); Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (2010-2012); Admiral Ola Ibrahim(2012-2014); and Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh(2014-2015).

    As for the Nigerian Army, those to be under searchlight are Lt.-Gen. Luka Yusuf (2007-2008), Lt.-Gen.  Abdurrahman Dambazzau (2008-2010), Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika(2010-2014) and Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah (January 2014-July 2015).

    In the Nigerian Navy, the investigation will cover the following past Chiefs of Naval Staff: Vice Admiral G.T. Adekeye(2005-2008); Vice Admiral I.I. Ibrahim(2008-2010); Vice Admiral O.S. Ibrahim(2010-2012); Vice Admiral D.J. Ezeoba(2012-2013);  and Vice Admiral U.O. Jibrin(2013-2015).

    For the Air Force, the scope of the probe will affect the tenures of the following officers and their teams. They include Air Marshal Paul Dike(2006-2008); Air Marshal Oluseyi Petirin(2008-2010); Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar(2010-2012); Air Marshal Alex Badeh(2012-2014) and Air Marshal Adesola Amosu(2014-2015).

    The National Security Advisers from 2007 to 2014 are: Gen. Aliyu Gusau; the late Gen. Owoye Azazi; Gen. Sarki Mukhtar; and Col. Sambo Dasuki.

    The Ministers of Defence within the time frame of the panel are: Yayale Ahmed(2007-2008); Shettima Mustapha(2098-2009); Godwin Abbe(2009-2010); Adetokunbo Kayode(2010-2011); Bello Haliru Mohammed(2011-2012); Erelu Olusola Obada(2012-2013) ; Gen. Aliyu Gusau (2013-2015) and Musiliu Obanikoro(2012-2014).

  • Boko Haram: NSA, Service chiefs visit Yobe

    The train of the National Security Adviser, (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno and the Service Chiefs in company with the Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase on Saturday moved to Yobe State, another hotbed of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The NSA with his entourage who paid a courtesy call on Governor Ibrahim Gaidam at the Government House in Damaturu solicited the cooperation of the civilian society which according to him is very key in the end to the insurgency.

    He explained that their decision to visit Yobe and Borno is in line with the mandate issued to them by President Mohamadu Buhari to ensure “a total finish to the madness called Boko Haram”.

    According to him, people must be ready to give out information against the bad people among them since the insurgents are blended in the civilian population, adding that the military is more than committed and willing to ending the insurgency with the caliber of officers in the driver’s seat at the moment.

    He said that their swift decision to also visit the Boko Haram  troubled states is to under-study and have an on the spot assessment of the equipment of troops and also meet with the political class to discuss critical areas for a better coordination of the fight.

    In his remarks, the Yobe State Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam commended the political will of the present administration of Mohamadu Buhari in ending the insurgency in his state and the region at large.

    The governor was particularly grateful to the cream of military brass the NSA led to the state describing it as the first in the history of the state and the fight against the Boko Haram menace.

  • Boko Haram: NSA, service chiefs land in Maiduguri

    •300,000 lives lost to insurgency,says Gov Shettima

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major -General  Babagana Monguno (rtd),the Chief of Defence Staff,Lieutenant General Abayomi Olonisakin and the Army, Naval and Air force chiefs of staff, as well as the Police Inspector General, yesterday stormed Maiduguri for a personal evaluation  of the security challenge in the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The NSA, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs -Lieutenant General  Tukur Buratai (Army);Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibs (Navy) and Air Maarshal Sadique Abubakar (Air Force) – were decorated with their new ranks 24 hours earlier by President Muhammadu Buhari, who gave them three months to end the insurgency.

    The NSA, accompanied by the service chiefs and    IGP  Solomon Arase, paid a courtesy call on Governor  Kashim Shettima at the Government House in Maiduguri, with a vow that Boko Haram days are numbered.

    He said: “In less than 24 hours after we were sworn in and decorated by the President, we are here in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital for a reassessment of the military operations to  end the  insurgency in three months. As you can see,  the President has picked the right service chiefs  to end this senseless terror.

    “We are to assess all the military operational details that will facilitate the  various aerial and ground troops’ fight  against Boko Haram . This has to be done  before we can launch a consistent and rapid campaign against terror and terrorists activities in the North East and the country at large.

    “We are not going to work against your interest  restoring peace and unity to the North East. We are here for all of you affected by this terrorism that has  claimed the lives of many of your sons, daughters, parents, guardians, including traditional and religious leaders sacked from towns and villages for over six years.”

    He sought the assistance of the people of the state by way of  ‘credible information’ to  end the insurgency.

    ” People  should come out from their closets and assist the military to  end  this insurgency,” he said.

    Receiving the delegation,  Governor Shettima said the government and the people would not shirk their responsibility in the anti Boko Haram fight.

    He said the insurgency has climed up to 300,000 lives  across 20 local government areas of the state.

    He added: “We will continue to work for the people by investing in education, so that our children and future generations do not become another new set of insurgents.

    “We are saying that we are against Boko Haram, because of the establishment of our Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to end this madness of incessant killings and destruction of people’s property, in not only in Borno State, but the neighbouring states of Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba and Bauchi in the North East.

    “If this Boko Haram madness comes to an end; your names will be written in gold; and the country and its citizenry will be proud of all of you here in Maiduguri,” Shettima said.

  • Photo: Decoration of new service chiefs

    Photo: Decoration of new service chiefs

    L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari; and Wife of the Chief of Defence Staff Mrs. Omobolanle Olonisakin Jointly decorating Chief of Defence Staff; General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin with his New Rank during the Decoration Ceremony of the new Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday
    L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari; and Wife of the Chief of Defence Staff Mrs. Omobolanle Olonisakin Jointly decorating Chief of Defence Staff; General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin with his New Rank during the Decoration Ceremony of the new Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday
    L-R; Chief of Air Staff; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff; General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Army Staff; Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Marshal Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas during the decoration Ceremony of the New Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday
    L-R; Chief of Air Staff; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff; General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Army Staff; Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Marshal Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas during the decoration Ceremony of the New Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday
    L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari; wife of Chief of Naval Staff, Mrs. Theresa Ibas and Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo Jointly decorating Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Marshal Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas with his new Rank during the Decoration Ceremony of the New Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday
    L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari; wife of Chief of Naval Staff, Mrs. Theresa Ibas and Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo Jointly decorating Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Marshal Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas with his new Rank during the Decoration Ceremony of the New Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday
    L-R; Wife of Chief of Air Staff; Mrs. Hafsat Sadique Abubakar; Wife of Chief of Naval Staff; Theresa Ekwe Ibas; Wife of Chief of Army Staff; Mrs. Umma Kalsum Tukur Buratai and Wife of the Chief of Defence Staff Mrs. Omobolanle Olonisakin, during the decoration Ceremony of the New Service Chiefs, at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday
    L-R; Wife of Chief of Air Staff; Mrs. Hafsat Sadique Abubakar; Wife of Chief of Naval Staff; Theresa Ekwe Ibas; Wife of Chief of Army Staff; Mrs. Umma Kalsum Tukur Buratai and Wife of the Chief of Defence Staff Mrs. Omobolanle Olonisakin, during the decoration Ceremony of the New Service Chiefs, at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday

     

    L-R; Chief of Air Staff; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Marshal Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff; Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and Chief of Defence Staff; General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; during the decoration Ceremony, by the President Mhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday
    L-R; Chief of Air Staff; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Marshal Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff; Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and Chief of Defence Staff; General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; during the decoration Ceremony, by the President Mhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday
  • Buhari to military: Defeat Boko Haram in three months

    Buhari to military: Defeat Boko Haram in three months

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday gave the Service Chiefs three months to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

    He gave the directive during the service chiefs’ swearing in ceremony and official decoration with their new ranks at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Those decorated are – Major-Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin (Chief of Defence Staff), Major-Gen. T.Y. Buratai (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff).

    President Buhari urged them to fashion out strategies to defeat the jihadists in next three months.

    He said: “Rightly the armed forces have been in the vanguard of the fight against terrorism. While commending the efforts of the armed forces so far, you need to brace up and continue to team up with other stakeholders to come up with a well coordinated joint efforts which will bring a desired end to this insurgency within three months.

    “In the course of carrying out this assignment you must be accountable for all men and equipment placed under your command. Your troops
    welfare must be uppermost in your mind, take care of them and make available what is due to them.

    “Concerted efforts should also be made to ensure judicious use of resources that are available to you in the search for solution to these challenges.

    “On our own part we shall be ready to give you the needed resources to achieve this feat. You will recall I have been to several countries with the sole aim of canvassing for global support to eliminate terrorism from Nigeria.”